Blaine's 4th Birthday

"I finally figured out the only reason

to be alive is to enjoy it."

Rita Mae Brown

So amazing that our beautiful first born baby boy is now 4 years old. Wow does time fly by I still remember going into labor while watching Gilmore Girls after having eaten Fish Sticks and Tator Tots. He blessed us 4 days early on November 9, 2005 and had grown into a smart, caring and driven little boy.

Last year we tried to have a party away from home, it proved to be more stress than it was worth, so we hosted a Star Wars and Legos themed party at our house this year. It was an amazing party...I tried not to hide behind the camera...which meant that I missed photos of lot of people...OOPS!! Will have to make it up at Easton's birthday late January. Here are the fun party pics. Thanks to all who blessed us by being a part of the wonderful day!

Blaine and Michael
Easton trying to steal Big brothers new car

Daddy keeping little brother busy.

Blaine-Birthday Boy the center of attention

The party spread including the our amazing homemade and decorated cake and Lego wall

All the kiddos

I think I hugged Charity a little too tight..

Kiera, Me and Katie. Gonzaga Buddies

Yummy Cake!!

Sharing with friends.

Lora, Trevor and Shaun (spelling?)

Grandma, Daddy and Easton

SHS Girls- Lynette and Lora

The after party... Michael and Blaine as Clone Troopers.

Cousin Zane was Blaine's guest for the night.. Zane was an amazing help with the boys and a great house guest. All of Grandma's little guys. Easton was TIRED!!

FUN Halloween

“If it's not fun, you're not doing it right"
Bob Basso

We had an AMAZING Halloween. The day started with the Frightfest Half Marathon in small town Rochester, WA. Grandma and Grandpa took the boys so Dave and I had the morning to focus on the race. The FULL race report can be found on my running Blog. Long story short, it rained, the course was BORING, and I WON! Yes I won a Half-Marathon!!


After the race I was sooo tired and felt sick. Thankfully I was feeling better when it turned dark so I wore my Giraffe costume and we all headed out to get some CANDY! I was nervous that Easton would not want to go, he does not like the dark and I was afraid he would fight me when I went to put on his costume. The entire night he was AMAZING! Here are a few pictures of our FUN!!

Blaine little man Clone Trooper. Grandma bought the cool light up light sabers.

Making a Pirate face, he is sooo funny!!

All dressed up and ready to go!!

A 9 year old, almost 4 year old and 21 months...all have very different priorities.

• Zane= CANDY as fast as possible.
• Blaine= Admire the decorations, thank the people, drink water and put a few pieces of candy in his bucket.
• Easton= Inspect Pumpkins and hoses with his flashlight.

We re-used Blaine's old costume because I did not think he would go. Next year I will buy him his own costume. He was AWESOME!!

Grandma went back to the house to get water because Blaine was so thirsty.. LOL thanks Grandma!!

Daddy was a Grey Crayola Crayon.. Hehehe not really but that is what we joked about..

Cool house does not photograph so well.

Me and big siss

The Candy loot. People were very generous this year.

Easton loves Kit Kats... He was so messy...but this picture makes me smile..

Grandma and Grandpa

Uncle Jon

Hungry Daddy

Auntie Jayne with her camera

Fun with the Storm Trooper helmet

Easton liked to push the buttons

A rare picture with both my siblings..

Bet you cant guess who is who?? My kids walk to the door and say "Happy Halloween" not "Trick or Treat." Halloween does not have to be gross and spooky. No blood or gore required. I take the holiday as a fun time to dress up and play with family.

October and a quick trip to Wilsonville

October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came -

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,

And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet,

And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing,

Professor Wind the band.

George Cooper, "October's Party"

This weekend we went to visit the Family in Wilsonville, they are in transition from Spokane to the Portland area. Currently they live in an apartment in Wilsonville. I LOVE Wilsonville!!! It was a beautiful sunny day. We took the back roads South and did a dry run for my Halloween Half Marathon in Rochester next weekend. The boys were pretty good and watched "Spookley the Square Pumpkin" in the car, Thanks Mom!! The trip took just under 3 hours.

When we arrived Blaine opened his Star Wars legos presents since his birthday is on November 9th. We also flew parachute men off of the balcony...FUN!! Next we went on a walk to the nearby park.. At that point Dave and I took off to go on a quick 3 mile run..
Beautiful day to run!!!

My partner...for once he did not have to push the jogger. We did a few loops around a park and field area while the boys walked and played. I LOVE LOVE the Fall leaves, I wish I could push pause and not have the leaves fall.

Next up the Fun Center. Easton was TIRED as he only had a 30 minute nap.. You can tell from his face how sleepy he was.

Ready to RACE!!

Blaine loved racing with Daddy and uncle Marky.

And flying the airplane with Marky.. Blaine has really gotten into video games lately. UGH!!

Easton trying to stay awake..

Hugs for my little baby. He is GROWING sooo fast, I hold him a lot because I just want him to stay small.. He is my cuddle bug.

Family Fall Picture.

This park was AMAZING. I could have walked around and taken photos all day.

Happy Family. I always like to take group shots when we get together.

Uncle Sean and Marky...the BIG kids..

This slide was awesome. Set up like an ant hill. I wish there would have been less kids because our boys were much smaller than the other kids.

My big boy posing on the climbing wall. I cannot believe he will be 4 in a few short days.

I ENJOYED the slide too.. Next time we will bring cardboard so we can got FAST!

BIG BIG Thank you to Mom for sewing together the skirt, Shirt decal and arm and ankle bands...I could not have done it without her.. My Halloween Half Marathon costume is complete and pretty darn cute. I am VERY VERY excited to race next weekend. Pray for no rain..